Hail Marys and Strange Bedfellows: Risk-Taking and the Future of Environmental Peacebuilding

Date & Time
Jun 17, 2026 | 11.00 - 12.30

Participants
Chair: Tracy Hart, World Bank (United States))
Oli Brown, Chatham House (United Kingdom)
Richard Matthew, UC Irvine (United States)
Joanne Lebert, IMPACT (Canada)
Peter Schwartzstein (United States)

This is a roundtable discussion on how to modulate our offerings in environmental peacebuilding, specifically to respond to disruptions in our geopolitical climate, funding sources, traditional partnerships, etc. The backbone of our work is set in high-risk environments. However, we are often risk averse in how we proceed given such tight parameters of financial and institutional support. We will hear established environmental peacebuilding practitioners share how they are responding to changes in political and financial context. Can we each identify areas where some reasoned risk-taking might expand our opportunities? Can we refresh what we provide as our products in today’s geopolitical context? The session will involve time for engagement outside of the panel discussion such that each participant will come away with concrete next steps to try out in his/her/their daily practice.